UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz School alumna Jessica Violetti (M.Ed. 2013) won the 2021 Santa Barbara County SELPA Star award for Elementary Special Education. The SELPA Star is the highest honor that a teacher can receive from the organization, and it is intended to establish and preserve exceptional standards in Special Education service. Its recipients display incredible dedication and performance in their teaching and conduct, and are considered to be the most exemplary special education teachers in their category. The award was presented on May 4th at the annual SELPA-bration event honoring all the recipients of the SELPA Star across all ten categories.
The Santa Barbara County Special Education Local Plan Area (SBCSELPA) is a joint powers agency that provides oversight, guidance, training and support to member local education agencies. It ensures that individuals with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education by working with parents, guardians, teachers, and the community across all of the school districts in Santa Barbara County.
Jessica Violetti graduated from the Teacher Education Program in 2013 with a Masters in Special Education and Teaching. She works as a special education, mild/moderate, inclusion-focused, K-6 teacher in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.